The immediate past Minister of Information, Mr Lararan Maku, was on Sunday at Abuja cleared to contest for the position of the governor of Nasarawa State under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party. The former minister disclosed that political parties should not be seen as mere platforms for capturing political power, but foundation for building nations.

Maku was screened alongside other aspirants from the North Central by the PDP screening panel, led by FCT Minister of State, Mrs Olajumoke Akinjide.

The aspirants were asked relevant questions regarding their academic qualification, tax clearance and their conformity with PDP electoral guidelines, among others.

Maku, who came out smiling after the screening, he told newsmen that he would remain in the PDP because of his political persuasion.

Brandishing his clearance certificate, the former minister said: “Look at my clearance certificate, very fresh; I contested for the ticket in 2007 and somehow I didn’t get it.

“But I stayed in the party, unlike others who migrated to other parties, looking for platforms to contest. I believe that people should be in the party as a matter of principle.’’

Maku said that political parties should be seen as a philosophical foundation for construction of democracy and the development of states.

The aspirants would contest for the party`s ticket at its primaries slated for Dec. 8 across the country.